More Kiper NFL draft content:
Draft Grades | Impact players: Round 1 | Rounds 2 and 3 | Rounds 4-7
Yesterday I looked at players I feel can have an early impact after being taken in Round 1. My guess is that sent off a torrent of eye rolls. Of course a guy taken in the first round will have an early impact, you said.
But this is a progression, so let's look at Rounds 2 and 3. As a comparison, last year 17 of the 32 picks from Round 1 appeared or started in at least 15 games. From Rounds 2 and 3, the number was 22 players. So while the percentage per round dips sharply, there's still a lot of impact to be found.
Andy Dalton, Torrey Smith, Jabaal Sheard, DeMarco Murray, Greg Little, Brooks Reed and a number of others provided solid impact as rookies after being taken in these rounds last season. Here's a look at players from this year's draft who could see action and help teams early on:
Offense
TE Coby Fleener, Colts
The thought was this pick would define which direction the Colts were going in the draft. Would they be satisfied with Andrew Luck as the new face of the offense and then get back to helping a leaky defense? Or would they wait on defense and find help for Luck? The Colts clearly figured: (A) They wouldn't get a second chance to get Luck off to a good start; and (B) as a team they had the ball a league-worst 43.7 percent of the time in 2011. The defense isn't good, but the offense was as bad as any team's but St. Louis last year. If the offense can stay on the field, the defense will look better. More than a possession tight end, Fleener has sub-4.5 speed, and he will be split out. It's a leap in levels, but he and Luck will have the advantage of familiarity. He also has a knack for staying on the field, having played in 51 straight games at Stanford. He could top 50 catches in 2012.
WR Mohamed Sanu, Bengals
The Bengals really need another wide receiver, and Sanu is one I can see making an impact early. For one, he has a lot of experience and could jump into the role vacated by Jerome Simpson, who signed with the Vikings. Secondly, while Sanu isn't much of a home run threat because he lacks top-end speed, he's crafty and will work zones and the middle of the field to get open. You never know, but I can see him and Dalton developing chemistry.
RB Isaiah Pead, Rams
The Rams just don't have a player like Pead on the roster. He's explosive, catches passes out of the backfield, can run away from linebackers and safeties and should immediately complement Steven Jackson. If Jackson deals with any health issues, Pead becomes an even bigger part of the mix.
RB Ronnie Hillman, Broncos
Will both Knowshon Moreno and Willis McGahee make it out of camp with the Broncos? If one doesn't, expect Hillman to pick up the slack. Hillman suddenly becomes the best player on the roster when it comes to making defenders miss. He's smaller, but at 200 pounds not that small, and if he can improve as a pass-catcher he could be useful in the new offense.
C Peter Konz, Falcons
He could start immediately at right guard, helping the run and screen games. But Konz could also step in for the aging Todd McClure at center if needed. I thought he could have gone late in Round 1. He's an early starter at No. 55 overall.
WR T.Y. Hilton, Colts
Austin Collie is still there, but Hilton is far more explosive, and I can see him picking up a lot of slot duties this season. I'd also expect to see him in the return game.
Defense
CB Dwight Bentley, Lions
He'll need time to develop, particularly with a big jump in competition, but Bentley is a corner I expected to come off the board in Round 2. Detroit gets good value in Round 3, and given the state of its cornerback situation, potentially an immediate starter on the right side. He'll get beat, but he'll also make plays.
LB Mychal Kendricks, Eagles
The Eagles were a train wreck up the middle last year. They added Fletcher Cox in the first round, and can now pair Kendricks with DeMeco Ryans at linebacker, with Kendricks jumping in on the strong side. Kendricks can fly along the line of scrimmage and chase down the run, and he is an ace on third down because he can run with backs and tight ends.
DT Derek Wolfe, Broncos
I liked Wolfe up to the late first round, but I know most teams had him in the second-round range. Denver traded out of the first round, had defensive tackle as a top need and still managed to get Wolfe. This guy is really disruptive from the inside; he piled up sacks as a defensive tackle. Denver has generated push only from the edges, and Wolfe could beat out a guy like Kevin Vickerson and get a lot of snaps.
CB Trumaine Johnson, Rams
Janoris Jenkins might get on the field before him as a corner, but Johnson can press, is willing against the run and also has the size to move to safety if needed. I like his potential versatility, which is why even if he's converted I can see him making an impact as a rookie.
DT Mike Martin, Titans
This is a bit of a leap, but last year Karl Klug managed to come in as a fifth-rounder and make an impact in Tennessee, and I think the coaches will find it hard to keep Martin off the field. He plays with great leverage, takes on double-teams well and will beat single coverage. Suddenly, with Klug, Jurrell Casey and Martin, the Titans have a formidable young rotation at defensive tackle.
LB Lavonte David
No surprise I'd have David on this list. If a team had taken him as high as, say, Detroit at No. 23 overall, I still would have liked the pick. He'll be great as a weakside linebacker for the Bucs.
LB Courtney Upshaw, Ravens
He won't go into camp as a starter, but look for Upshaw to gain trust early. He's experienced and has the size and discipline to seal the edge in the run game in this system. You won't see him pile up sack totals early, but dependability in quieter elements will work in his favor.